Music Teaching Assistant

Age range: Whole School Music Department with a Primary School Focus

Employed by: NCBIS -to support the vision, positive ethos and policies of the

school

Responsible to: Head of Creative Arts

Qualifications: Relevant qualifications and/or experience; proficiency in English

in speaking, understanding and writing. Ability to read standard music notation

is essential. Practical performance skills on one or more instruments are highly

desirable, particularly guitar and orchestral strings; vocal skills are also an

advantage.

Experience: Experience of working with children or young people within an

educational environment is desirable. Experience of practical music-making,

ensembles, performances, events or music administration would be an

advantage.

Working hours:

• Full time

• To be in school by 7.30 am until 3.30 pm, 4pm on staff meeting days and

3pm on Thursday;

• To attend relevant staff meetings and other professional school-related

activities, including those outside normal working hours, as required.

KEY DUTIES OF THE ROLE:

A. Safeguarding and Health and Safety Duties

• Be fully aware of the principles of safeguarding as they apply to vulnerable

children and adults in relation to the role;

• To be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and

young people within the school;

• Help to keep children safe;

• Be aware of and comply with all school policies and procedures;

• Assist with the supervision of pupils during lessons, including before and after

school and at break times as directed;

• Escort and supervise students on educational visits and out of school activities;

• Ensure that the designated member of staff for child protection is made aware

and kept fully informed of any concerns which the post holder may have in

relation to safeguarding and/or child protection.

B. Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils

• Establish a safe and stimulating environment for pupils, rooted in mutual

respect;

• Set goals that stretch and challenge pupils of all backgrounds, abilities and

dispositions;

• Demonstrate consistently the positive attitudes, values and behaviour which

are expected of pupils;

• Guide pupils to reflect on the progress they have made and their emerging

needs.

C. Support for the Teacher

• To work under the guidance of Music teachers and the Head of Creative Arts to

support high-quality teaching and learning across the Music Department;

• To provide practical, organisational and administrative support to Music

teachers and the wider Music Department;

• To assist teachers in creating and maintaining purposeful, positive, proactive

and safe practical music-learning environments;

• To undertake Music Department administration as directed, including

organisation of resources, records, communications, events and performance-

related materials;

D. Collaborate with teachers in planning and delivering lessons

• To collaborate with Music teachers in preparing and supporting lessons,

rehearsals, ensembles and practical music activities;

• To attend planning meetings and staff meetings as directed and required;

• Within an agreed system of supervision, to support individuals and small groups

during practical music-making, rehearsals and independent work;

• To prepare and organise scores, sheet music, teaching materials and other

resources required for lessons and rehearsals;

• To support students with appropriate music technology and general computing

activities as directed, and therefore to have good general digital competence;

• To prepare specialist musical equipment and resources needed for lessons,

rehearsals and performances, taking account of pupils’ needs, interests,

language and cultural backgrounds;

E. Adapt support to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils

• To promote the inclusion of all pupils ensuring they have equal access to

opportunities to learn and develop;

• To identify the students on the inclusive learning register and pastoral register

and to work with the inclusion and pastoral teams to understand the identified

needs and how to fully support these;

• To complete any required professional development courses that promote the

u nderstanding of supporting different school needs.

F. Make accurate and productive use of assessment

• Support teachers with assessment-related administration and, where

appropriate, provide practical support during performances, recordings and

other assessed music activities under teacher supervision.

G. Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment

• Have high expectations, clear rules and routines for behaviour in Music

Department spaces and take responsibility for promoting good and courteous

behaviour both in lessons and around the school, in accordance with the

school’s behaviour policy.

H. Fulfil wider professional responsibilities

• Demonstrate a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school;

• Take responsibility for improving teaching through appropriate professional

development by working collaboratively and responding to advice and feedback

from colleagues;

• Communicate effectively across the school community;

• Undertake duties and administrative tasks as directed and needed within the

Music Department and TA team ;

• Contribute to the wider promotion of Music and the Creative Arts through

whole-school events and initiatives and the overall vision, mission and aims of

the school.

I. Music Department-specific responsibilities

• read standard music notation confidently and use this skill to support pupils during

practical lessons, rehearsals and performances;

• use practical musical skills to support individuals, small groups and ensembles;

performance ability on one or more instruments is highly desirable, and singing skills

are an advantage;

• support the preparation and running of concerts, showcases, assemblies, rehearsals

and other Music Department events;

• play an active practical and organisational role in Rockfest and similar

contemporary-music projects, according to the postholder’s skills and experience;

• assist with instrumental and vocal set-up, stage changes, equipment movement,

rehearsal organisation and other practical performance requirements;

• work with help organise, check, store and maintain instruments, amplification,

microphones, cables, music stands, scores and other department equipment,

reporting faults or damage promptly;

• support routine department administration, including photocopying and

preparation of music, filing, inventories, displays, event documentation and other

tasks as directed;

• contribute flexibly to the wider work of the Music Department and Creative Arts

Faculty, including practical support for productions and cross-department events

where required.

J. Internationalism / Global Citizenship

• promote the school’s understanding of internationalism and global citizenship;

• promote the development of the Learner Profile;

• make links between Music learning and global mindedness.